The New York Mets had an eventful offseason, making significant moves to strengthen their roster. Their biggest splash was signing superstar Juan Soto to a nearly $800 million deal. They then turned their attention to the starting rotation, re-signing Sean Manaea, though the left-hander is currently dealing with an injury.
New York also added Clay Holmes and Frankie Montas. Holmes has shown considerable improvement in 2025, thanks in part to the Mets converting him into a starter and his implementation of the new “kick change” pitch. Meanwhile, Montas is battling injuries and is expected to miss a significant portion of the season.
With these injury concerns, the Mets’ starting rotation appears unstable heading into 2025. Free-agent options are limited, meaning a trade may be their best bet for reinforcements.
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A Potential Mets-Cardinals Trade for an Underrated Ace
The St. Louis Cardinals could be an ideal trade partner for New York. Reports suggest the Cardinals are looking to reshape their roster, making ace Sonny Gray a potential trade candidate.
Gray has been a top performer in recent years, and while acquiring him would be expensive, he’d come at a lower cost than pitchers like Sandy Alcántara or Dylan Cease.
In this hypothetical deal, the Mets would part with two of their top 12 prospects to land Gray.
- McLean, 23, possesses one of the best sliders in minor league baseball. After a dominant first full season in pro ball, he’s viewed as a fast-rising prospect with a chance to debut in the majors by midseason.
- Gilbert, 24, was once a highly ranked prospect but struggled in 2024, causing his stock to drop. The Cardinals would hope a fresh start helps him regain his potential.
This trade would allow the Mets to solidify their rotation without giving up their most MLB-ready prospects, while the Cardinals would shed salary and add two promising young talents. A true win-win for both sides.